Section 2 Promotion of Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
Section
2
Promotion of Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
Reference 58
Australia is an important partner for Japan in the Asia-Pacific
region: Japan and Australia are allies of the United States and
share not only fundamental values such as democracy, the rule
of law, respect for human rights, and capitalist economies, but
also strategic stakes and interests in the security field. In particular, the norm that different countries should work in concert to
address global challenges has been becoming widespread in the
international community, in recent years. Therefore, as responsible countries in the Asia Pacific region, Japan and Australia
are strengthening mutual cooperation focused primarily on
non-traditional security areas such as humanitarian assistance
and disaster relief activities.
In terms of Japan Australia bilateral defense cooperation and
exchanges, the Japan–Australia Joint Declaration on Security
Cooperation, the first such joint declaration in the realm of security with a country other than the United States, was announced at the Japan-Australia summit meeting in March 2007.
It has been making steady progress since then and has now
reached the stage of more concrete and practical cooperation.
In May 2010, the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)1 and its Procedural Arrangement were signed at
the third Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultations
(“2+2”), and entered into force in January 2013.
The Japan-Australia ACSA enabled the reciprocal provision
of supplies and services by the SDF and the Australian Defense
Force (ADF) during peacekeeping operations, international disaster relief, and other activities, thereby further facilitating and
consolidating the strategic partnership between the two countries. It is anticipated that the cooperation between Japan and
Australia facilitated and strengthened in this way will contribute to the peace and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, while
also being conducive to fostering intraregional order through
cooperation and efforts to achieve international peace under-
taken by the United Nations in particular, such as conducting
peacekeeping operations. Moreover, in March this year, the Japan-Australia Information Security Agreement entered into
force. The laying of foundations for sharing information between the two countries is expected to assist in strengthening
bilateral cooperation.
Furthermore, at the fourth Japan-Australia “2+2” meeting in
September 2012, which was the first of these meetings to be
held in Australia, both countries affirmed the importance of
sharing a common vision and goals, and issued a joint statement
entitled Common Vision and Objectives agreeing to further expand defense cooperation between Japan and Australia.
2 Recent Major Achievements in Defense
Cooperation and Exchange
In terms of policy, at the September 2012 talks between the
defense ministers of Japan and Australia, the two countries decided to coordinate arrangements with a view to hosting officials from the Australian Government Department of Defence
at the Japanese Ministry of Defense, as a form of personnel
exchange in the field of support for capacity building. They also
Initiatives to Further Stabilize the International Security Environment
Japan–Australia Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
1 The Significance of Defense Cooperation
and Exchange with Australia
1
See
Chapter 2
1
cordingly, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces
are conducting strategic defense cooperation and exchanges
based on the characteristics of each country and region in question.
▲
In order to improve the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as across the globe, and ensure the safety and
prosperity of Japan, it is important to utilize the Japan-U.S. Alliance as an axis, while developing networks that combine bilateral and multilateral dialogue, exchanges and cooperation
frameworks in a complementary and multilayered manner. Ac-
ASDF Chief of Staff Kataoka and Australian Chief of Air Force Brown
Official title: The Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Australia concerning reciprocal provision of supplies and services between
the Self- Defense Forces of Japan and the Australian Defense Force
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Part III Measures for Defense of Japan
agreed to establish an architecture at the vice-ministerial level
and working level as a framework for discussions on cooperation in the field of equipment technology.
Minister of Defense Onodera and Minister for Defense Smith
exchanged views on Japan-Australia defense cooperation
during the talks in June 2013 on the margins of the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue. In this talks, they welcomed the progress of a
wide range of practical cooperation including the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) in
addition to high-level and administrative level consultations,
and agreed on advancing defense cooperation and exchanges at
various levels in the future.
In addition, the ASDF Chief of Staff visited Australia in February 2013, holding informal discussions with the Australia
Chief of Air Force, at which they exchanged opinions concerning such matters as the deepening of defense cooperation and
exchange between the ASDF and the Royal Australian Air
Force.
In terms of operational aspects, two personnel from the Australian Defence Force have been providing support for liaison
and coordination with relevant organizations, including the
United Nations, at UNMISS since August 2012. Furthermore,
in the field of training and exercises, as well as the bilateral
training exercise between Japan and Australia in June last year,
in which Australian naval vessels and aircraft participated,
MSDF naval vessels and aircraft participated in the Kakadu 12
multinational joint naval exercise organized by the Royal Australian Navy two months later. Moreover, at Cope North Guam,
the trilateral training exercise involving Japan, the U.S., and
Australia held in February 2013, the ASDF conducted humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) training with the
U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force for the first
time. In May this year, following on from last year, the GSDF
participated in a shooting competition organized by the Australian Army.
▲
See
recognition that that North Korea constitutes a serious destabilizing factor for to the entire East Asia region. In addition, they
discussed opportunities for strengthening trilateral cooperative
efforts, through information sharing, joint training and exercise
coordination, and agreed to conduct a joint study on defense
capability building efforts in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Moreover, they set strategic goals resolution for trilateral cooperation such as peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance
with international laws and the freedom of navigation and maritime security in the regions sea lanes, Building on strategic
goals, they agreed to promote a dynamic and flexible trilateral
defense relationship in order to enhance the security and prosperity of the region. The regional security and prosperity as
well as promoting dynamic and flexible trilateral cooperation.
At the working level too, the Security and Defense Cooperation Forum (SDCF), which is a Director General-level meeting
among the three countries, has been held five times since April
2007, with discussions taking place on such issues as coordinated promotion of trilateral defense cooperation.
It is important for the three countries to develop a shared
understanding of the situation and coordinate policies through
such discussions and cooperation as well as making effective
use of ACSA to further develop and deepen the collaborative
relationship among them, three counties, via more proactive
promotion of trilateral cooperation in such operational areas
such as disaster relief and joint exercises.
In terms of training and exercises, the MSDF, the U.S. Navy,
and the Royal Australian Navy held the sixth trilateral exercise
in September 2012. Moreover, following on from the previous
year, the ASDF, the U.S. Air Force, and the Royal Australian
Air Force held the Japan-U.S.-Australia exercise “Cope North
Guam” in Guam in February 2013. Furthermore, in May this
year, the GSDF, the U.S. Army, and the Australian Army held
the first trilateral training in Australia.
Reference 59
3. The Cooperative Relationship Between
Japan, the U.S., and Australia
Japan and Australia are both allied with the United States, and
share fundamental values. They cooperate closely in order to
resolve the various challenges the Asia-Pacific region and the
international community are facing. In order to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of such cooperation, it is important
that trilateral cooperation be promoted among Japan, the United States, and Australia, whose presence is indispensable for
regional peace and stability.
The Japan-U.S.-Australia Defense Ministers Meeting was held
at the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2013 and the Joint
Statement was issued. In the Meeting, the three nations exchanged views on the regional security situation, and share the
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Japan-U.S.-Australia Defense Ministers’ Meeting [U.S. Department of Defense]
Section 2 Promotion of Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
VOICE
Column
ADF-JSDF UNMISS Cooperation
Australian Contribution to Defense of Japan 2013
Initiatives to Further Stabilize the International Security Environment
Nabari Road - 'The previous ADF LO, LTCOL Stanley, with staff from the JSDF
Coordination Center, discussing progress of Nabari Road construction with
the Nabari Community Chairman.'
Chapter 2
By Damian Drain, Lieutenant Colonel of the Australian Army
In 2012, Australia and Japan agreed to enhance peacekeeping cooperation between Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF)
personnel and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in support of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South
Sudan (UNMISS). In August 2012, the first Australian liaison team deployed to South Sudan.
In February 2013, I deployed with another ADF member to the Republic of South Sudan to begin work as the ADF
Liaison Officer to the Japanese Contingent to UNMISS. During the next six months, I will be working closely with the JSDF,
to provide information related to the implementation of the UNMISS mandate, and to provide liaison services to assist
communication and coordination with relevant bodies, including UN agencies.
In the Republic of South Sudan, the JSDF and the ADF are working together on a number of key projects focusing on
developing critical infrastructure. This cooperation will contribute to providing valuable assistance for the people of the
Republic of South Sudan in their endeavor to build their own nation after years of conflict. Two key projects are the
monitoring of the construction of a new Law Faculty for the Juba University, and the upgrade of Nabari Road in Juba.
Juba University - 'ADF Linguist, CPL Lawson and LTCOL Drain inspecting progress
on the new Law Facility for Juba University, with staff, a Civil Engineer with the
JSDF Coordination Center.'
The new Law Faculty will help to achieve a key part of the UNMISS mandate, that being the establishment of the rule of
law and strengthening of the justice system. The upgrade of Nabari Road is providing practical training and employment for
local civilians and will improve access for vehicles and people on a key route in Juba.
Our work in the Republic of South Sudan builds on a history of cooperation between Australia and Japan in
peacekeeping missions, including in East Timor, Cambodia and Iraq. It is symbolic of the enhanced bilateral defence
cooperation in recent years and serves to strengthen our interoperability and ability to jointly contribute to the peace and
stability both regionally and more broadly.
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Part III Measures for Defense of Japan
2
Japan–Republic of Korea Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
Initiatives to Further Stabilize the International Security Environment
Chapter 2
1 The Significance of Defense Cooperation
and Exchange with Republic of Korea
The Republic of Korea (ROK) has historically maintained close
relations with Japan in economic, cultural, and other areas, and
is extremely vital to Japan in geopolitical terms. In addition, as
well as sharing fundamental values, the two countries share
many strategic interests as allies of the United States. Therefore, even if difficult issues occasionally arise, close collaboration between the two countries on the security front has enormous significance for the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific
region.
Both Japan and the ROK are confronted with wide-ranging
and complex security challenges including not only the North
Korean nuclear and missile issues, but also counter-terrorism,
peacekeeping operations, large-scale natural disasters, anti-piracy measures, and maritime security. In order for the two
countries to deal effectively with such challenges, it is important to carry out more broad-ranging and concrete defense cooperation and exchanges.
With this in mind, at talks between the defense ministers of
the two countries held in January 2011, it was agreed to further
exchange views concerning an ACSA to enable reciprocal provision of water, food, fuel, and so on in PKO activities, humanitarian support, disaster relief, etc. Furthermore, also it was
agreed to proceed with negotiations concerning the content of
an agreement on the protection of military information between
the defense authorities of the two countries.
2 Recent Major Achievements in Defense
Cooperation and Exchange
After the defense ministers’ talks in January 2011, working-level discussions have been held concerning an ACSA and the information security agreement between the foreign affairs and
defense authorities of the two countries. Although signing of
the information security agreement was due to take place in
June 2012, it was postponed just before the signing ceremony at
the request of the ROK side, due to the domestic situation.
With regard to the Japan-ROK defense exchange in 2012,
there has been no progress at high level and exchanges have
been achieved mainly in the field of education and research. At
the working level, for example, Japan-ROK Working-level Defense Dialogue was carried out in March 2013, which shows our
continuous efforts at policy discussions and intelligence sharing.
236
▲
See
Reference 60
DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2013
3. The Cooperative Relationship Between
Japan, the U.S., and the ROK
As both Japan and the ROK are allied with the United States,
which plays an indispensable role for the peace and stability of
the Asia-Pacific region, trilateral cooperation among Japan, the
United States, and the ROK has been developing.
In January 2013, Defense Trilateral Talks were held among
Japan, the U.S. and the ROK, at which opinions were exchanged
concerning various security issues surrounding the three countries, such as the regional situation including the North Korean
situation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and the
nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and all participants affirmed that their countries would cooperate closely.
At the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2013, the JapanU.S.-ROK Defense Ministers Conference was held and a trilateral joint statement was issued. In the conference, the three
ministers shared recognition of the regional security situations,
including North Korea and agreed to firmly request North Korea to abandon all nuclear development programs and continue
close coordination against any further provocations by North
Korea along with reaffirming the significance of trilateral cooperation. In addition, they agreed to expand trilateral efforts in
anti-piracy activities off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of
Aden, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and
rescue training, and counter-proliferation.
Japan-U.S.-ROK naval exercises took place, in the waters
south of the Korean Peninsula in June 2012, in the waters
around Hawaii in August of the same year, and in waters west
of Kyushu in May 2013, to strengthen the coordination and cooperation among the three countries. It is important to further
develop cooperative relations among Japan, the U.S., and the
ROK in this way, in order to contribute to the peace and stability of the region.
Section 2 Promotion of Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
3
Japan–India Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
1 The Significance of Defense Cooperation
and Exchange with India
Initiatives to Further Stabilize the International Security Environment
See
Chapter 2
4
In November 2011, Indian Defense Minister visited Japan and
held talks with the Japanese Minister of Defense. At these talks,
as well as exchanging opinions concerning the regional security situation, the two ministers concurred regarding the importance of the cooperative relationship between Japan and India
in the field of maritime security.
Moreover, Indian Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma and
Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai visited Japan in October 2012 for the second Japan-India vice-ministerial level
“2+2” dialogue, at which the participants agreed to further
strengthen partnership and cooperation between the two countries, with a particular focus on the field of security, such as
anti-piracy initiatives. In addition, the participants affirmed
that the two countries would continue to exchange opinions regularly regarding the new field of cyberspace. At the third defense policy dialogue between the defense vice-ministers of the
two countries that followed on from this, the participants agreed
to endeavor to further strengthen the relationship between the
defense authorities of the two countries, including matters concerning the stable continuation of high-level exchanges. Furthermore, the MSDF Chief of Staff visited India in February
2013 and, as well as paying a courtesy visit to the Indian Minister of Defence, he held informal discussions with the Chief of
the Naval Staff, engaging in an exchange of opinions concerning such matters as cooperation in the field of maritime security.
In June 2012, the first bilateral exercise was carried out by
the MSDF and Indian Navy in Sagami Bay, based on the agreement reached at the talks between the defense ministers of Japan and India in November 2011.
▲
India is located in the center of sea lanes which connect Japan
with the Middle East and Africa, making it an extremely important country in a geopolitical sense for Japan, which relies
on maritime transportation for most of its trade. Furthermore,
Japan and India share fundamental values, as well as having a
common interest in the peace, stability, and prosperity of Asia
and the world, and have constructed a strategic global partnership. Therefore, in recent years both Japan and India have been
strengthening relations in security areas.
In October 2008, the Prime Ministers of Japan and India
signed the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between
Japan and India (Joint Declaration). This is the third country
with which a joint declaration has been signed in the area of
security, following similar declarations with the United States
and Australia. The declaration serves as a guideline for future
cooperation in the field of security between Japan and India,
covering such areas as meetings and discussions between defense officials at the ministerial, vice-ministerial, and director
general level, as well as inter-military exchange including bilateral and multinational exercises.
Moreover, in December 2009, the Prime Ministers of Japan
and India formulated the Action Plan to promote security cooperation between their two countries. The Action Plan includes
items for the actual promotion of cooperation in maritime security such as cooperation in anti-piracy activities and the holding
of joint exercises at sea.
Furthermore, in December 2011, when the then Prime Minister Noda visited India, he agreed to further efforts to reinforce
the Strategic Global Partnership between Japan and India, as
well as strengthening cooperation in the field of maritime security, in regard to the political and security-related aspects.
These outcomes were issued as the Japan-India Joint Statement.
Upon Prime Minister of India Singh’s visit to Japan in May
2013, the prime ministers of Japan and India welcomed the expanding defense relations between the two countries based on
the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between Japan
and India. Also they signed the joint statement in which they
decided to conduct on a regular basis and with increased frequency bilateral exercises between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy and to establish a joint Working Group regarding the US-2 amphibian aircraft.
2 Recent Major Achievement s in Defense
Cooperation and Exchange
Reference 61
MSDF Chief of Staff Kawano and Indian Chief of Naval Staff Joshi
Japan–China Defense Exchanges and Cooperation
1 The Significance of Defense Exchange and
Cooperation with China
China’s economic development and the modernization of its
military capabilities in recent years have raised its presence
within the international community. Although there are pending issues with China, such as slow progress of Japan-China
bilateral cooperation resource development in the East China
Sea and the question of transparency in regard to military capabilities, comprehensive promotion by Japan and China of the
“Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic
Interests,” and further deepening of friendly and cooperative
relations are the common interests of both countries. In regard
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Part III Measures for Defense of Japan
to this point, as well as improving the transparency of China’s
defense policy and bolstering mutual understanding and trust
between Japan and China, promoting and maintaining defense
exchange is important from the perspective of avoiding and preventing unforeseen consequences, so Japan is cooperating with
allied nations and becoming actively involved in ensuring that
China acts responsibly in the international community. Such
initiatives are essential to the stabilization of the bilateral relationship in general and, consequently, to the peace and stability
the Asia-Pacific region.
2 Recent Major Achievements in Defense
Exchange
5
Japan–Russia Defense Exchanges and Cooperation
1 The Significance of Defense Exchange and
Cooperation with Russia
Russia has great influence on the security of Europe, Central
Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region, and is a neighboring country
of Japan. It is therefore very important for Japan to deepen defense exchanges and promote mutual trust and cooperation with
Russia. As Japan–Russia relations have continuously been developing in a wide range of areas, the Ministry of Defense and
SDF have been steadily promoting exchanges with Russia at
various levels in accordance with the Memorandum on Japan–
Russia Defense Exchanges drawn up in 1999 (revised in 2006).
Security consultations between foreign and defense authorities,
238
▲
Japan and China have been striving to promote defense exchange at various levels, as well as seeking to increase mutual
understanding and relationships of trust, based on the approach
of comprehensively promoting a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests.” At the Japan-China Defense Ministerial Conference in November 2009, a joint
press statement was issued, which contained details of an
agreement concerning such matters as continuing to steadily
implement and promote exchanges based on a common recognition between the two countries; in addition, after the talks, the
ministers held their first-ever joint press conference.
Furthermore, at the Japan-China Defense Ministerial Conference held in June, 2011, both the Ministers agreed that promoting defense exchange between Japan and China in a stable
manner through calm dialogues between the defense authorities of the two countries would develop the basis for the “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests,” as well as lead to the strengthening of a friendly and
cooperative relationship between the two nations, and the improvement of transparency in defense policies.
Japan and China are undertaking initiatives to avoid and prevent unforeseen consequences, perceiving this to be an important aspect of defense exchange. In particular, the construction
of a maritime communication mechanism between the defense
authorities of the two countries has become an urgent matter.
Accordingly, at the third Joint Working Group meeting held in
Beijing in June 2012, it was agreed that the maritime communication mechanism would be constructed, consisting of (1) annual meetings and experts meetings; (2) high-level hotlines between the defense authorities of Japan and China; and (3)
communications between naval vessels and aircraft. The objective of this was to avoid unexpected collisions and prevent unforeseen consequences in waters and airspace from escalating
into military clashes or political problems, as well as increasing
mutual understanding and relationships of trust, and enhancing
defense cooperation. However, defense exchanges - including
this process - stalled in September last year and remain stagnant. In relation to this, Japan has continued to make approaches aimed at continuing defense exchanges, but has had no success to date in achieving the active promotion of any of the
proposed exchanges, such as bringing the maritime communication mechanism to fruition.
At present, due in part to the incident in January this year,
when a Chinese naval vessel locked its fire-control radar onto
an MSDF destroyer, Japan is making approaches to China with
the aim of commencing operation of this mechanism as soon as
possible, in light of the increased necessity of such a maritime
communication mechanism to avoid and prevent unforeseen
consequences.
In regard to exchanges between troops, since 2007, the Chinese Navy destroyer Shenzhen and training vessel Zhenghe
have visited Japan, while the MSDF destroyers Sazanami and,
most recently (in December 2011), Kirisame have visited China. Moreover, in June 2010, the Commanding General of the
Jinan Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army
visited the GSDF Middle Army, while in March 2012, the
Commanding General of the GSDF Middle Army visited the
Jinan Military Region.
Hereafter, as part of efforts to construct a “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests”, it will
be essential to strive to promote mutual trust and understanding
between Japan and China through dialogue at various levels
and in a range of areas, while also actively promoting concrete
cooperation in non-traditional security areas, such as anti-piracy measures.
Reference 62
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DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2013
and Military-Military Talks at the Director General-level and
Councilor level, as well as annual meetings based on the Japan–
Russia Agreement on Prevention of Incidents On and Over the
High Seas and bilateral search and rescue exercises are all held
continuously.
Moreover, at the Japan-Russia summit meeting in April 2013,
the two leaders affirmed the importance of expanding cooperation between Japan and Russia in the field of security and defense, amid the growing role of the Asia-Pacific region and major changes in the international security environment, and
agreed to set up talks at the Cabinet minister level, covering the
fields of foreign affairs and defense (“2+2”). Furthermore, as
well as praising the fact that various forms of defense exchange
Section 2 Promotion of Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
were advancing in accordance with the aforementioned memorandum, the two leaders agreed to expand exchanges between
defense authorities and units, and to explore new fields of cooperation, including measures to counter terrorism and piracy.
2 Recent Major Achievements in Defense
Exchange
6
Reference 63
An MSDF destroyer (center) engaging in a search and rescue exercise with
Russian Naval vessels (foreground and background)
Defense Cooperation and Exchanges with Southeast Asian Countries
Southeast Asian countries are located in an area strategically
important for maritime traffic that connects Japan with the
Middle East and Europe, and have long been traditional partners, having close economic relations with Japan. Promoting
trust and cooperative relations for issues in various security
challenges with these countries is meaningful for both Japan
and Southeast Asian countries. Moreover, the countries of
Southeast Asia are members of ADMM-Plus and ARF, so from
the perspective of stabilizing the security environment in the
Asia-Pacific region, it is imperative to build relationships of
trust and cooperation with each country, with a view to cooperation in multilateral frameworks.
In particular, as well as the interaction with Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines, Japan is engaged in active
exchanges of opinions with Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand
at various levels, concerning approaches to defense cooperation
and exchange, and frameworks for regional security cooperation. In addition, Japan is proactively engaged in discussions
with defense officials, unit exchanges, and the dispatch and
hosting of international students. Furthermore, we are also
striving to strengthen relationships with Myanmar, Brunei
Darussalam, and Laos.
Staff visited Indonesia in January 2013 and, as well as paying a
courtesy visit to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and
held discussions with the Indonesian Army Chief of Staff, engaging in an exchange of opinions concerning such matters as
cooperation in non-traditional security fields. In June the same
year, Japan-Indonesia Defense Ministers Conference was held
during the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue, and the two nations
agreed to continue the cooperation in the area of defense based
on the concept of the strategic partnership. There have also
been numerous developments at the working level, including
the discussions involving the diplomatic and defense authorities
that began in November 2011, discussions between the defense
authorities alone, and the sharing of knowledge and experience
through various education and research exchange initiatives.
Furthermore, Japan is working with Indonesia in an endeavor
to strengthening cooperation through capacity building, and in
February 2013, the MSDF officials and other personnel were
dispatched to the Indonesian Navy Hydrographic Office, to
conduct a short-term seminar on marine meteorology.
Initiatives to Further Stabilize the International Security Environment
Japan-Russia Summit Meeting [Cabinet Public Relations Office]
▲
See
Chapter 2
In August 2012, two Russian naval vessels that had participated
in RIMPAC visited Japan. In September that year, an MSDF
naval vessel visited Russia to participate in the 13th Japan-Russia Joint Search and Rescue Exercise, along with the Russian
Navy.
1 Indonesia
Indonesia accounts for about 40% of the land and population of
Southeast Asia and is a major power in the region, as well as
being the largest island country in the world. Japan engages in
close defense cooperation and exchange with Indonesia, which
is a strategic partner of our nation. Moreover, great progress has
been made in defense cooperation and exchange through the
visit to Indonesia by the Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense in February 2012, as well as talks at the army, navy and
air force chief of staff level. In particular, the GSDF Chief of
GSDF Chief of Staff Kimizuka and President of Indonesia Yudhoyono
Defense of Japan
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Part III Measures for Defense of Japan
Initiatives to Further Stabilize the International Security Environment
Chapter 2
2 Vietnam
With a population of about 90 million people, Vietnam is a major power in Southeast Asia, and is a strategic partner for peace
and prosperity in Asia. In recent years, Japan has been deepening cooperation with Vietnam, not only in economic fields, but
also in the fields of security and defense. A Japan-Vietnam Joint
Statement was published when Vietnamese Prime Minister
Nguyen Tam Dung visited Japan in October 2011. In addition,
the same month, Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh became the first Vietnamese Defense Minister to visit Japan in 13
years, holding talks with Japan’s Minister of Defense, after
which the two ministers signed a memorandum concerning Japan-Vietnam defense cooperation and exchange, and agreed to
promote high-level exchanges, regular dialogue at the vice-ministerial level, and cooperation in such fields as humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief. Moreover, in November 2012, the
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense visited Vietnam,
where he held the first vice-ministerial level talks with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense Nguyen chi Vinh.
At these talks, the two vice-ministers exchanged opinions regarding regional situations, as well as discussing cooperation in
the field of support for capacity building.
With regard to capacity building, MSDF officials and other
personnel had been dispatched to Vietnam in October that year,
where they gave a short-term seminar to medical officers in the
Vietnamese navy concerning diving medicine. Furthermore, in
March 2013, practitioners from the Vietnam People’s Army
were invited to Japan for a short training course on peacekeeping operations.
The 3rd Japan-Vietnam Strategic Partnership Dialogue took
place in December 2012, and it will be vital to strengthen relationships in order to achieve more concrete, practical cooperation, with the memorandum on defense cooperation and exchange as the cornerstone of this.
cise for the EWG on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, as co-chair nations of the EWG on Military Medicine within the ADMM-Plus framework. Moreover, they agreed to
increase cooperation on logistical support, which will strengthen defense cooperation.
At the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue held in 2013, Minister of
Defense Onodera held talks with Singaporean Defense Minister Dr. Ng. Minister Onodera expressed his gratitude to the Singaporean Defense Ministry for its effort to host the Dialogue,
and in response, Minister Ng expressed his appreciation to the
speech made by Minister Onodera.
Furthermore, in August 2012, vessels from the MSDF and
the Republic of Singapore Navy conducted a goodwill exercise
in the waters off Hawaii, thereby improving friendship and
goodwill.
Japan-Singapore Defense Ministers’ Conference
3 Singapore
In December 2009, Singapore became the first country in
Southeast Asia with which Japan signed a memorandum on defense cooperation and exchange, and a cooperative relationship
is progressing steadily based on this memorandum. In particular, discussions between the defense authorities of Japan and
Singapore have the longest history of any of Japan’s defense
discussions with the countries of Southeast Asia, with the 12th
round of talks being held in Singapore in November 2011. In
terms of high-level exchange, Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Defence Chiang Chie Foo visited Japan in
July 2012 and held discussions with the Administrative
Vice-Minister of Defense. Moreover, in October that year, Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen visited Japan and held talks
with the Japanese Minister of Defense. During these talks, as
well as deciding to promote further defense cooperation and
exchange between the SDF and Singaporean military in both
bilateral and multinational training exercises, the two ministers
announced their support for co-hosting the field training exer-
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DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2013
MSDF destroyer Shirane (right) and Singaporean Naval vessel Formidable (left)
sailing side by side in a goodwill exercise
4 The Philippines
To date, as well as high-level exchanges with the Philippines,
involving visits by heads of defense from both countries, there
have been frequent exchanges at the working level, including
visits by naval vessels and discussions between the defense authorities of the two countries. In July 2012, at the ministerial
talks held when Philippines Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin visited Japan, the two defense ministers signed a
Section 2 Promotion of Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
Reference 64
Japan–U.K. Defense Cooperation and Exchanges
In terms of interaction between the defense authorities of the
two countries, in addition to the exchange of the memorandum
on defense cooperation in June last year, the Administrative
Vice-Minister of Defense visited the UK in January 2013, paying a courtesy visit to Minister of State for the Armed Forces
Andrew Robathan and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
for International Security Strategy Andrew Murrison, as well
as holding talks with Permanent Under Secretary Jon Thompson. During these talks, the two vice-ministers agreed to continue to share intelligence, and to deepen defense cooperation
between Japan and the UK at various levels.
See
▲
The United Kingdom, being a major power that has influence
not only on Europe but also the rest of the world, has historically maintained close relations with Japan. On the security front,
Japan shares the same strategic interests with the United Kingdom, as both countries are important allies of the United States.
Given this relationship, it is extremely important for Japan to
promote cooperation through such global issues as international peace cooperation activities and anti-terrorism and piracy,
and through information exchange relating to the regional situation.
In April 2012, when British Prime Minister David Cameron
visited Japan, a joint statement was issued by the prime ministers of both countries, entitled “A Leading Strategic Partnership
for Global Prosperity and Security”, which stated that the two
nations would begin negotiations concerning a government-to-government information security agreement, endorse
the signing of the Defense Cooperation Memorandum, and promote the identification of appropriate defense equipment for
joint development and production.
In June 2013, Defense Minister Onodera held talks with U.K.
Secretary of State for Defence Hammond at the Shangri-La Dialogue in which the two leaders exchanged their views concerning the progress of defense cooperation and exchange between
Japan and the U.K. as well as regional situation. Both parties
agreed upon close cooperation in various fields between the two
nations.
2 Recent Major Achievements in Defense
Cooperation and Exchange
Reference 65
Initiatives to Further Stabilize the International Security Environment
1 The Significance of Defense Cooperation
and Exchange with the U.K.
8
See
Chapter 2
7
cal visits by chiefs of staff and commanding officers from each
service of the military. In addition, in terms of working-level
exchange, it included provisions regarding discussions and dialogue between defense authorities at the director general level,
as well as staff talks between the MSDF and the Philippine
Navy, and exchanges between units, students, and research institutes.
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statement of intent to promote defense cooperation and exchanges between Japan and the Philippines, as well as exchanging opinions concerning the regional situation and defense cooperation and exchange between the two nations.
The statement of intent to promote defense cooperation and
exchanges between Japan and the Philippines included provisions concerning high-level interaction in the form of meetings
between the defense ministers and vice-ministers, and recipro-
Japan-U.K. Defense Ministers’ Conference
Defense Cooperation and Exchanges with European and Other Countries
1. The Significance of Defense Cooperation
and Exchange with European Countries
Europe shares fundamental values with Japan and serves as the
central core in working to address shared challenges to global
security, focusing primarily on non-traditional security areas
such as counter-terrorism and combating piracy, as well as international peace cooperation activities. Therefore, developing
defense cooperation and exchange with the countries of Europe
lays the foundations for Japan to become actively involved in
dealing with challenges, and is important for both Japan and
Europe.
Based on this awareness, as well as the discussions with
France involving the foreign affairs and defense authorities of
both nations that were conducted in February 2013, discussions
have been held with the defense authorities of France, Germany,
Italy, Sweden, and Norway between September 2012 and May
2013, with lively exchanges of opinions taking place regarding
the regional situation and global security issues.
Regarding Japan’s relations with Spain, in January this year,
the Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense visited Spain,
where he exchanged opinions with Secretary General for Defence Policy Alvargonzález, as well as paying a courtesy visit to
Minister of Defence Morenés.
Japan has laid the foundations for sharing information, concluding the Agreement between the Government of Japan and
Defense of Japan
241
NATO on the Security of Information and Material in June
2010, and the Agreement between Japan and France on the Security of Information in October 2011, as well as commencing
negotiations with Italy in February 2013, concerning the conclusion of an information security agreement.
With regard to Japan’s relations with France, Minister of Defense Onodera held talks with French Defense Minister Le Drian during the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2013, at which the
two ministers exchanged their views on the situation of defense
cooperation and exchange between Japan and France as well as
regional situation. Both parties agreed that they would engage
in further discussion in various aspects of defense exchange between the two countries.
2. The Significance of Defense Cooperation
and Exchange with Other Countries
With regard to exchanges with other countries, in October 2012,
then Minister of Defense Morimoto visited Mongolia and held
talks with Mongolian Minister for Foreign Affairs Bold. Moreover, in November the same year, the Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense visited Mongolia for the first time, holding the
first Defense Vice-ministerial Level Meeting with State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Choijamts, at which they exchanged opinions regarding support for capacity building and
the regional situation. In terms of support for capacity building,
GSDF officials and other personnel were dispatched in October
the same year to give a short seminar about hygiene among
GSDF officials.
The Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense visited Turkey
in July 2012, where he conducted talks with Undersecretary of
the Ministry of National Defence Ümit Dündar, as well as paying a courtesy visit to Minister of National Defense Ismet Yilmaz. During this visit, Statement of Intent was signed between
the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of National
Defense of the Republic of Turkey while Japan and Turkey
agreed to promote defense cooperation between two countries.
In March 2013, Minister of National Defense Yilmaz visited
Japan and held a defense ministerial meeting with Minister of
Defense Onodera. At this meeting, as well as exchanging opinions concerning the regional situation, the two ministers agreed
to hold discussions between the defense authorities of the two
countries (at the director general level) at the earliest possible
date, and to push forward with various forms of defense exchange.
Kazakhstan was the destination for a visit by the Administrative Vice-Minister of Defense in July 2012, and as well as paying a courtesy visit to Minister of Defence Dzhaksybekov, he
held talks with First Deputy Minister of Defence Zhasuzakov.
They concurred regarding the necessity of developing exchange
between the two countries in the field of defense, and agreed to
commence high-level exchanges, starting at the vice-ministerial level, as well as working-level discussions, starting with consultations between the defense authorities of the two nations.
They also agreed to promote cooperation in the areas of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance, as well as promoting cooperation through exchanges between educational
and research institutes.
During his April 2013 visit to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister
Abe held a summit meeting with Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, at which they agreed to promote security dialogue between the foreign affairs and defense authorities of the two
countries in such fields as maritime security and the security of
marine transport routes, anti-piracy measures, nonproliferation,
anti-terrorism measures, and activities in the field of HA/DR.
In May this year, while visiting the United Arab Emirates,
Prime Minister Abe held talks with Prime Minister and Vice
President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashif al-Maktoum and the
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at which they agreed to hold security dialogue to discuss maritime security, counter-piracy,
non-proliferation, anti-terrorism, and HA/DR, among others.
See
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Initiatives to Further Stabilize the International Security Environment
Chapter 2
Part III Measures for Defense of Japan
Reference 66
VOICE
Column
Endeavoring to Create a Harmonious Atmosphere
- A Female SDF Officer on the Frontline of International Exchange Major Naoko Yokoyama, Military Attaché Group, GSDF Staff Office
My tasks include planning seminars for foreign military attachés stationed in Tokyo
and acting as a guide as well as acting as an interpreter on such occasions as when
the GSDF Chief of Staff is visited by senior foreign officials.
As part of my work duties involve coming into contact with military attachés, I
have the opportunity to learn about hospitality, including international customs, and
develop a global perspective.
By taking advantage of my abilities as a woman, I try to create a friendly
atmosphere so as to deepen communications when attending to guests and acting as
an interpreter. When foreign officials participate in seminars, they are often
accompanied by their wives, so I feel that my post is particularly suited to me as I can
fully exercise my strengths as a woman.
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DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2013
A contact person for the U.S. Forces and the author (left)
coordinating work-related matters